Buzz: Kansas State recruiting prowess under Jerome Tang

KANSAS STATE RECRUITING PROWESS

While they have yet to land anyone from the transfer portal, Kansas State is still at a better place on the recruiting trail than they were this time last year. Obviously, that is a product of the world knowing what their staff is about in combination with the style of play and success that K-State shared in year one.

That is a credit to head coach Jerome Tang.

Just think about it. At times a year ago, the Kansas State boss would reveal that he had to accept the change in recruiting profile from Baylor to K-State. With the Bears, there wasn’t a prospect that wasn’t available to them. They were picking and choosing to an extent. That was not the case with the Wildcats.

Though they probably aren’t quite at the point where they are picking and choosing whoever they want when it comes to recruiting pursuits, it is pretty close. In many cases, both transfer options and high school prospects are reaching out to them instead of the reverse.

In fact, Tang even spotlighted that when he told the Field of 68 that they are now able to get involved with just about anyone that they want to get involved with following an Elite Eight run and a year where Kansas State finished third in the Big 12.

TAMPERING

I’ll step away from K-State land just a bit.

A popular buzzword when it comes to the transfer portal is “tampering” and everyone loves to identify it as a problem that exists in college sports. And it’s probably true that it exists on too prevalent of a level and hinders the ability to have a level playing field.

I get it.

However, to be honest, my observations and information would suggest that the issue is two-sided and not just on the coaching staffs. Folks keep pointing out about how the schools and the coaches have been the ones tampering with players not in the transfer portal.

What I have learned is that it is often the other way around, too. Players consult with those around them and ask them to pry and glean as much information as possible to find out what they are worth when it comes to NIL value and what schools would be interested if they did enter the transfer portal.

There is multiple reasons for that.

First, some do not want to enter the transfer portal and find out a cold hard truth about what their stock actually is and be left without a home. That happened to a select few in the first year of it. They want to be sure that they have a place when the music stops.

Secondly, the players also want to know what destinations are on the table and match that with the idea of remaining in their original place. They can compare the options without the danger or risk of not grasping their top choice.

Tylor Perry/Getty

ANOTHER K-STATE GUARD TARGET

Though reports from some outlets have indicated that Kansas State isn’t in the discussion for North Texas transfer guard Tylor Perry, my information conflicts with that. I’m not saying he is a lock for the Wildcats, but K-State may become more of a prevalent presence in his recruitment.

In any case, he is not the lock to Texas Tech that some believe. He may follow his head coach Grant McCasland to Lubbock, but that isn’t a certainty. Kansas State waited to become involved and submerge themselves in his recruitment.

Again, they are thorough, patient and use timing to their advantage.

Look for them to be associated with him more and more. But again, he isn’t the only guard that K-State is chasing. The Wildcats are also contending for Max Abmas, LJ Cryer, Tramon Mark and Aaron Estrada to name a few.

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